Under Control

Kangaroo is the key. Honeybun's rapt attention was on Asherel at the Agility Trial yesterday. Breakfast had been scant, and Honeybun smelled kangaroo in Asherel's hand. Not only did she get kangaroo tidbits if she kept her eyes on her handler, but after her beautiful qualifying and third place win in Open Jumpers with Weaves class, she received a small bowl of real steak. That class was the first of the early day, and her second class was the last of the late afternoon.

For the next 6 hours, she lay on a cushion watching the other dogs and her well endowed mind was thinking.
"When I go fast and jump everything in sight, I get kangaroo and steak," she thought. For 6 hours, she contemplated this new wisdom.

When her next class, Novice Standard came, she had been watching the other dogs for some time now. She saw all the obstacles that one should normally climb but her mind was focused on "kangaroo-jump fast- steak".  This formula had worked well in the morning and she was certain it was key to the afternoon gustatory bonanza as well.

So as she waited at the start line, her tail was wagging. Her ears were perked. She could barely contain herself. Steak was calling.  And when Asherel told her "Okay!", she was off like a streak of stomach growling. She raced over the course, jumping everything she could see- she jumped over the braces of the dog walk support, and then back again, wagging her tail. It didn't matter if it was part of the course or not- if it could be jumped, she jumped. And she was fast! And happy! Her tail was wagging and she was glancing at Asherel and running and jumping like a fiend.

Finally she cleared the last jump and joyfully returned to Asherel. Surprisingly, she only had about 4 or 5 faults, enough to DQ her from any prizes, but it didn't matter. We were all laughing. Our beloved mentor Polly exclaimed, "This is good! This is very good! Honeybun has found 'drive'- now we just have to get it under control."

I can totally relate to Honeybun's last class. When I am after a reward, any reward, I race around, crashing into every obstacle, manically and exuberantly racing to succeed at whatever endeavor I am following. And quite often, my enthusiasm ends up driving me over jumps that were never meant to be jumped. It is a hard thing to learn, how to maintain that spark but keep it controlled.

God urges a similar message be absorbed. We all are running wildly with passion for the magnificent goodies the world has to offer.... but God tells us sometimes we are jumping over the wrong jumps, and our passion should be redirected to follow the Master's plan and purpose for us. "Say No to worldly passions," He warns us, "But be on fire for Me."

I understand Honeybun's issues. I have yet to master self control without losing my drive. Maybe I need some kangaroo......

Titus 2:12
It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,